Splash Station Concessions Equipment Approved: No Indoor Griddle

After a long discussion, the Wentzville Board of Aldermen has approved a contract for the purchase of kitchen equipment for the concession stand at Splash Station. 

The decision was postponed from a previous meeting when the board decided that they couldn't make a decision until they knew what menu items were being offered.

The items of particular interest to the board were a greaseless fryer, an indoor griddle and an outdoor grill. 

Finance Director Jeff Lenk provided projections for sales at the concession stand, using figures from previous years' sales at Progress Park Pool and comparisons with similar aquatic centers in Maryland Heights and Ballwin.

With all three pieces of equipment purchased, Lenk projected the payback period—the length of time to recover the cost— at just one season of sales. 

Lenk said that goal would be reached if the concessions were run in-house, not if they were outsourced. 

Parks Director Mary Jo Dessieux said that during last year's budget talks, the board had said they would not outsource admissions and concessions for Splash Station.

Alderman Forrest Gossett made a motion to approve the purchase of the greaseless fryer and the outdoor grill, but not the griddle, for approximately $22,000. 

The cost of the griddle alone is about $500.